Glimpses into the World of the New Testament i

I spent much time in 2016 touring the Roman world, including Naples, Pompeii and Rome. The archaeology in these places affords us little glimpses into the world of the New Testament.
 
1 Cor. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
 
 

Roman Mirror, Pompeii, made of highly polished stone and glass. 

 
1 Peter 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you


Greek style Roman dinner party, showing a reveller urinating into a bottle from his couch. 
 
Romans 16:5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.


Early Christians met in large homes. This is a large residence in Pompeii. 

Colossians 4:14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.


A sign outside a physician's establishment, Herculaneum. 

Acts 20:9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.



Surviving street, stairs and house from Pompeii. Although the house is only two storey, evidence of Christians living there has been found, before the town's destruction in AD79.
 
Acts 28:16-17 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.



These are the remains of the first century synagogue at Ostia, Rome's port; some of these Jewish elders may have been based here.